8 Reasons Leftists should be Pro-Israel

Supporting Israel squares with the core principles of the Left.

Israel continues to be the demon poster-child of the Left. The prime example of a repressive regime and abuser of human rights. On the Left, people became outraged and agitated over Israel more than over any other cause. Israel's supposed villainy will bring out protestors on cold, rainy days in a way no other issue can. Many of these people are earnest, but perhaps misled.

In most ways, my own politics tend to be Liberal-Left: I support single-payer, universal healthcare, I opposed the war in Iraq and the Bush-Cheney "imperial presidency," I even voted twice for Ralph Nader. However, like French philosopher Bernard Henri-Lévy, I differ on Israel and reject the demonization of Israel, whether at the United Nations, in the world media, or among American and European Leftists.

If my fellow Leftists or even Liberals think that the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement will help bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as peace to the Middle East and harmony to the community of nations, they are sadly mistaken. There is a difference between criticism and demonization, and the campaign against Israel is of the latter type. Criticism, and there is much of it within Israel's own healthy democracy, can result in positive change. But the focused attempt to demonize Israel, not undertaken against any other nation, is aimed at delegitimizing Israel and undermining its very existence, as if the problems of the world were the fault of the Israelis -- the fault of the Jews -- and if they would only go away, all would be better.

The attempt to demonize Israel, not undertaken against any other nation, is aimed at delegitimizing Israel and undermining its very existence.

Not only is this a sorry illusion, but this concerted assault on Israel itself betrays the principles of the Left.

Here, then, are eight reasons Leftists should be Pro-Israel (or, at least, Pro-Peace rather than Anti-Israel):

1. Human Rights. The Left fights for human rights in the world. Even if one thinks Israel or its soldiers guilty of human rights violations (and I am not willing at the outset to grant this point), there is no international or historical comparison that could reasonably rank Israel among the worst criminals of the world or of history. Whether we look at the scale of the conflict, the numbers of lives lost, or the treatment of the press or of dissidents, there are far too many examples of bloodshed and persecution dwarfing anything done by Israel against the Palestinians over the last four decades since the Six Day War, when Israel was attacked by its neighbors. Even Arab treatment of Palestinians, such as in Jordan's Black September massacre, caused thousands of deaths, possibly more in 10 days than in four decades of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And how can we compare Israel to Mugabe's Zimbabwe, or the Chinese crackdown on Tibet and Tianneman? Or the disappearances and death squads of Latin America Square or the killing fields of Pol Pot? Let alone the genocide pursued by Hitler or Stalin's murderous reign? Let us be clear: genocide is the attempt to exterminate an entire people and culture; this is not what has happened to the Palestinians, and it is not the goal of Israeli policy. By contrast, the explicit aim of Hamas is to eliminate Israel. So, if we support human rights and oppose persecution, ought we not first to focus our efforts on the places where we find the worst situations? Can anyone rationally claim that among these places, let alone the most horrendous of all, is a small nation on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea?

2. Internationalism. Leftists tend to support internationalism. One would think that the United Nations would be the world body most dedicated to furthering this aim. But how is it that Israel, this small nation, has become such a central concern? From 2003-2010, there have been more than 900 human rights actions against Israel at the U.N.; the next closest is Sudan at just under 400. Israel is the only member of the U.N. to be excluded from any of the five regional groups. And should not all on the Left oppose the absurdity of the so-called Human Rights Council, whose members include such paragons of humanitarianism as China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Kyrgyzstan? How can Leftists stand silent when the Turkish Prime Minister denounces Israel for human rights crimes while then promising that the Kurds will "drown in their own blood," in a conflict with human rights abuses on both sides and tens of thousands individuals killed? If Gaza is not the ideal place to live, if the Gazans are suffering, nevertheless the photos in the New York Times and elsewhere and the testimony of reporters clearly demonstrate that Gazans are not starving, their store shelves are not empty, whether for food or consumer goods; as difficult as the situation may be, it is simply not the pinnacle of human rights disasters, and Israel is thus not deserving of international condemnation above all other nations in the world.

The polls make clear that, overwhelmingly, Israelis desire peace with their neighbors.

3. Peace. Leftists want peace. In the Middle East and elsewhere. The polls make clear that, overwhelmingly, Israelis desire peace with their neighbors; the difficult sacrifices, including the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza make this evident. Israelis are prepared for a secure, two-state solution, to live side-by-side in peace. Meanwhile, the stated goal of its enemies is to end its existence. A simple thought-experiment should make the matter starkly clear: If tomorrow Hamas and other Palestinian groups unilaterally put down their weapons, what would follow? Peace. If Israelis unilaterally put down their weapons, what would follow? Millions of dead or exiled Jews. Anyone on the Left who does not recognize this is living in denial. Leftists should support peace and not live in denial.

4. Anti-Authoritarianism. Leftists oppose authoritarianism and dictatorship and instead support popular, democratic rule. Israel maintains a vibrant, parliamentary democracy, with a broad range of views represented, much more so than in the United States, for example. Indeed, Arabs parties and Communists have long had representatives voted into the Israeli Knesset. Can we imagine such representation, as well as the freedom of assembly and freedom of speech in Israel's Arab neighbors? In the Gaza ruled by Hamas? In Egypt or Syria or Saudi Arabia? By opposing Israel and supporting groups like Hamas, the Left is not supporting a liberation struggle but rather the effort to replace the Middle East's only democracy with yet another repressive dictatorship. Do Leftists really desire such an outcome? How can the one major effort to boycott, divest, and sanction be aimed at a democratic nation like this? As Bernard Henri-Levy has written at the Huffington Post of the "Confusion of an era when we combat democracies as though they were dictatorships or fascist States. This maelstrom of hatred and madness is about Israel. But it also concerns, as we should be well aware, some of the most precious things established in the movement of ideas in the last thirty years, especially on the left, and these are thus imperiled."

5. Human Dignity and Equality. The Left fights for the values of dignity and equality. Are these traits exemplified more by Israel or its neighbors? Look at how much Israelis value the life of a single soldier, in the willingness to trade hundreds of prisoners for one soldier, and even to trade prisoners to recover their dead for proper burial. Look at the rules of engagement of the Israeli Defense Forces, at how the IDF calls and leaflets civilians to warn them; does any other military do such a thing? In terms of equality and human rights, compare the state of women's rights in Israel with that in the rest of the Middle East. And in terms of human dignity, do people on the Left think so little of Palestinian dignity that they are willing to claim Palestinians have "no choice" but to turn themselves into homicidal-suicidal bombers to kill Israeli children? Can we not expect more of people? Treating Palestinians like helpless victims does less than recognize their human dignity.

6. Anti-Discrimination. Leftists oppose sexism, racism, and any similar sort of discrimination. And so, Leftists do or ought to oppose anti-Semitism in the same way. And yet, Leftists too often give a pass to anti-Semitism masked as anti-Zionism or anti-Israel sentiment. The playwright David Mamet has written in the Huffington Post as follows: "Yet most of the Western Press, European and American, pictures Israel as, somehow the aggressor, and the Israelis as somehow inhuman, and delighting in blood." As Mamet has elaborated in his book The Wicked Son: Anti-Semitism, Self-Hatred, and the Jews, this is nothing less than a reworking of the old Blood Libel against the Jews -- except this time, instead of being accused of using non-Jewish blood to bake matzah, the Jews are accused of spilling blood for no reason other than gratuitous pleasure. Leftists ought to be vigilant in distinguishing between constructive criticism of Israel and dehumanizing caricatures of Jews.

7. Self-Defense. Only the most uncompromising pacifists oppose the right to self-defense, and certainly most Leftists uphold this right. At least when Palestinians are doing the defending. Why are Israelis exempt from this right? How many Leftists would sit idly by while rockets rained down on their towns and families, with their children traumatized? And if we said, oh, but people are only killed occasionally, would that minimize your commitment to protect your family? Only Jews are expected to lay down their weapons and offer their throats. How dare the Jews have the chutzpah to fight back?!

8. Progress. We want movement on Palestinian-Israeli and Arab-Israeli peacemaking. Yet, demonizing Israel, singling it out, as is done at the UN and on college campuses will do little to advance peace. We all know, have all known for decades the basic outlines of a peace settlement. The Israelis have been prepared for this and have prepared their citizens. The Left should be pressuring Palestinians to accept peace and to stop teaching their children that Jews are monsters after their blood. This sort of pressure might bring some progress.

It was long ago time for Leftists to tear down the poster that features Israel as the demon-child of human rights abuse and repression. It is time for Leftists to become outraged not over Israel, but over the distortions and demonization of Israel on college campuses and at the United Nations and throughout the media and politics. It is time for Leftists to reject the treatment of Israel as a pariah, or Jews as bloodthirsty murderers, and time instead to welcome Israel into the community of nations as a full member, subject to the same criticism and praise as any other nation.

Visitor Comments: 21

(21)
seybernetx,
August 22, 2010 6:42 AM

Maybe the leftist in your area are different than the ones in the US

If the leftists you are familiar with are the same as the liberal/leftist groups in the US, I have problems with a several of your points.
First off, US liberal/leftists are NOT in favor of 'free speech'. They are in favor of free speech as long as people say what they want to hear. If you disagree with the left, you are to sit down, shut up, and do as you are told.
Next, the left is not anti-authoritarianism. The left takes as a given that they, alone, know how the world should be, and anyone who dares disagree is by definition wrong, and is to be shut down and forced to do what is 'right' -- i.e what the left wants people to do. As one example, it is impressive how many leftists like the way the China's government can 'get things done'.
Last, equality and anti-discrimination are deeply foreign to most leftists. The typical leftist views the rest of the world as a bunch of undifferentiated mobs. To a liberal, you are not a person. You are a 'black', or a 'woman', or a 'Latino' or any one of who knows how many distinct categories. And anyone is one of these categories is required to think and act the was the rest of the category acts. Of course, it is the liberal elite who decided what the authentic 'black', or 'female' (or even 'Jewish') beliefs 'really are'.

(20)
Abdul Murphy,
August 20, 2010 8:38 AM

Polite, logical, and unfortunately a tip of the iceberg

Leftism doesn't like religion, and Israel, Jews and Zion are all "Meccas" (ironic term) of religion. Leftists don't care what Israel does, they don't like it from the start. I was once a leftist: Israel was the enemy of the left. Even the goal of leftist Israelis is to dismantle Israel and turn it into another secular nation.

(19)
compugraphd,
August 19, 2010 5:55 PM

Yay! Amein!

B"H
I've been saying this for years! I even wrote a blog entry (and an article) on this subject:
http://israelanditsplaceintheworld.blogspot.com/

(18)
Fredric,
August 19, 2010 3:27 PM

Be Jewish not a leftist.

I understand the faint wisdom of this article point by point it is logical.
But so very misguided in nature.
The world basks in the blessings of the Jews (left and right) and doesn't have a clue, now you want to confuse them. And appeal to the left? The Left has it's own agenda. It always has. And it is not to pray for the peace of Israel. Leave the left to the left. Israel and the Jews should blow its own horn. The Jews brought light and life to the world.
Marx only brought death darkness and destruction.
The Jews brought love of life and laughter not to mention sanitary conditions to a world of filth. Now you want to align your self with Garbage?
Let Israel stand for truth. Kiss no ring left or right.
Let Israel drive the standard.
Bow to no idol no man no foreign ideology.
Be Jewish don't be a leftist.
Why do you look outside when the answers are within. why do you seek the approval of man when you have the mandate of G-d.
Battle when you must, build when you can,
Bless and do not curse. But do not appeal to the left or the right.
The Jews and Israel are a light to the world
they have brought the gifts of G-d to all men.
God bless protect and give them wisdom that transcends the counterfeit we see being so easily swallowed.

(17)
Yael,
August 19, 2010 9:08 AM

well said!

If only more people would read this - in an open-minded fashion!

(16)
Sonia,
August 18, 2010 11:51 PM

But the main reason is...

There may be hundreds of reasons for leftwing people to argue. but there is one reason that will make left people around the world, be agianst Israel. And that is... USA, the worst villain for any left thinking person around the world (except USA), USA supports Israel. Any small country supported by the USA will be scorned and looked as a demon, be it Israel, Colombia, whatever.

(15)
DS,
August 18, 2010 5:07 PM

FINALLY a leftist I can agree with!! THANK YOU,

(14)
Adi Y Brito,
August 18, 2010 12:40 PM

our fault for beibg Israelis period.it does not matter how moral we are.

lwe need to change our name from Israel to Loveel or ,Unitedel.because Israel come from jacov battel with the angle of G-d,and it is name changed to Israel.since then we allways in a battle.

(13)
Parastu,
August 17, 2010 5:43 PM

"Anti-Semitism is the rumour about the Jews." - Theodor Adorno

I'm a radical leftist (Marxist) and support Israel for amongst others mentioned reasons in this article. The problem with some of "my comrades" is their political dogmatism combined with their interpretation of Marx which contains, on the psychological level, their anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitic vocabulary and the usage of the collective subject ("THE" Jew) as a symbol to punish and demonise a whole group etc. are used by anti-Zionists. Hiding their anti-Semitism under the guise of Israel criticism. As Adorno once said "Anti-Semitism is the rumour about the Jews." I would like to add that anti-Zionism is the rumour about the Jews. Concerning "far-left" politics in Israel: I see a huge dilemma of Israeli left-wing people. They are naive and underestimating an ideology which want to see dead Jews. They think they can change a hatred attitude with incense sticks and peace chants. As harsh as it sounds now but, with their naive attitude, they are deliver themselves into a Concentration Camp. Concerning their dilemma: as a leftist e.g. you are more or less for open borders, no military actions and peace. What yould you do if a radical party / radical people want to kill you? Would you welcome them with open arms? These are arguments which I mention over and over: Israel is a nation like everyone else. I don't support Israel because for the sake of the nation BUT I support her because I know for what she stands for and her foundation. It is a massive disgrace to justify Israels right to exist and its self-defence right. It is the historic imperative out of 2000 years persecution of the Jews, who haven't defended themselves, to give them a shelter named Israel! Consequently, Jews/Israelis aren't victims anymore like they have been for 2000 years. As long as anti-Semitism exists Israel must exist. Only if every other nation has perished there is no need for Israel because the idea of removal a nation, is, amongst others, the disappearance of fascism and anti-Semitism.

(12)
Donald Mattison,
August 16, 2010 10:00 PM

I agree with these 8 reasons.

As a "liberal" college professor for many years, I find myself among liberals who mostly support Palestine. Their philosophy about this is weak at best, and their logic is almost nonexistent. The Palestinian folks have infiltrated the liberal ranks with an intolerance and a lack of integrity and knowledge of history that is shocking. Although I am vastly outnumbered, I am unafraid and unequivocal: Israel is a democratic state that ethically and morally is far beyond any or all of its neighboring Arab nations. I will not depart from my support of Israel

(11)
Anonymous,
August 16, 2010 5:09 PM

I agree with Israeli policies

I agree with Israeli policies
Pavel Cahák

(10)
Comment not printed first time,
August 16, 2010 10:36 AM

The Left is not for peace and freedom. It routinely supports war against the likes of Israel, Britain and the USA and routinely supports tyrannical regimes like the USSR, China, North Korea, Iraq and Iran and opposes their overthrow.
Also, to Larry, the occupation came about due to the Arab countries' desire to attack and destroy Israel. Every offer to end it has been rejected. Take off your rose tinted glasses.

(9)
Daniel Morgenbesser,
August 16, 2010 12:40 AM

Voted for Ralph Nader

You voted for Ralph Nader and you also support Israel? There is a contradiction there. The conservatives are much friendlier to
Israel than the left.

(8)
Albert Snyder,
August 15, 2010 11:51 PM

Agreement! Proud of Israeli values!

I could not agree more with your comments and those of the first two comments of your respondants. If one sincerely values humanity, one must acknowlege the vales of the state of Israel. Israelis have always been favourable to the 2 state solution. Respect for all is a Jewish, Israeli value.

(7)
Leo,
August 15, 2010 8:13 PM

Ignorance of the Left

In my observation, most of the Left, especially those who consider themselves highly educated, are ignorant and closed-minded people. It takes so much time and effort to explain to a leftist or to a left-leaning liberal why Israel is mistreated by the world and by the Left in particular! A hint: hatred of Israel has nothing to do with how it treats Palestinians, or with the so-called "occupation", so it is a complete waste of Israel's time (and money, and land, and lives of the Israelis) to respond to UN's, and EU's, and US administration's demands.
Two books come to mind that explain Israel-bashing very clearly:
1) "Because They Hate" by Brigitte Gabriel.
2) "The World Turned Upside Down" by Melanie Phillips.

(6)
David S. Levine,
August 15, 2010 6:47 PM

A Neo-Con Who Doesn't Know It

In 1948 Presdient Truman described Earl Warren as "a Democrat who doesn't know it." Alan Krinsky is a neo-conservative who doesn't know it but he'll find it out when his fellow leftists get hold of this article. He'll then be mugged by reality!

(5)
shirley,
August 15, 2010 6:23 PM

more pro Israel sites

CNN and BBc are too biased, when they interview Israeli Presidents and supporters like Ehud Barak, Netanyahu, Peres they would not let them finish talking! Reporters like John Vause. Clancy, Blitzer and the Indian girl???forgot her name, are terrible and rude... I stopped watching these channels.they spread hate like terrorists if i may say so.

(4)
Larry Snider,
August 15, 2010 5:47 PM

Both the left and the right should remove their rose colored glasses

Mr. Krinsky has said much that I believe in. I believe that the American left does not bring peace one day closer by demonizing the State of Israel. I believe that Israel has been singled out by international bodies such as the United Nations. I also believe that Hamas as well as Hezbollah and their benefactor Iran represent at times a serious and maybe even an existential threat to the very existence of the State of Israel, (and their leaders have said so many times). However, Mr. Krinsky did not mention the Occupation which has separated Israel from the West Bank and Gaza for some 43 years. The Occupation has a detrimental effect on the lives of Palestinians every day, limiting their freedom of movement, and their ability to earn a reasonable living. While there is no doubt that in 1970 the challenges presented by a radical, (terrorist) PLO could and were factored into a security policy that defended Israel by interupting the movements of Palestinians with a system of Settlements, checkponits and military closures, the needs outside of Gaza today are not the same. Generations of Palestinians have grown up living under an oppressive system of closures and actions that do not promote the peace process and are no longer necessary to retain Israel's security. The world has grown tired of the Occupation and it increasingly demonstrates against it today even as it relates to Hamas and Gaza. It is unfair to state that there is plenty of food in Gaza when until very recently the large majority of the products that you eat everyday were unavailable and more importantly, beyond the purchasing power of a population that lives largely on subsistance provided by the UN and a group of NGO's.
To get to a better place means both sides and their numerous component parts need to remove their rose colored glasses and begin talking with each other in a national dialogue about peace and the meaning of living in two adjacent states as neighbors.
A tall order we can all make happen.

(3)
TMay,
August 15, 2010 5:04 PM

PS

I should have added to my previous comment on the allegation of "apartheid" in Israel that people can read the book A Shepherd’s Journey the story of Israel's first Bedouin Diplomat by Khaldi. There was a wonderful article interviewing the author here on Aish by Jenny Hazan entitled "From Bedouin Shepherd to Israeli diplomat". In the Aish article "Khaldi says that he is living proof that Israel is not the "Apartheid state" that some make it out to be. “Israel may be the only country in the Middle East, if not the world, where a Bedouin shepherd can become a high-tech engineer, a scientist or – a diplomat. The sky’s the limit."

(2)
Joel Drouet,
August 15, 2010 10:27 AM

Brilliant!!

Kol hakavod! I'm a liberal, but also an Israeli, a Jew, a Zionist--and it's about time that the modern Left was reminded that Israel embodies many of the best aspirations of the Left, too. Perfect we are not--but we've done pretty well considering the difficult and trying circumstances of our existence here. May Israel survive and prosper, and may there be true peace and prosperity for all in this region.

(1)
TMay,
August 15, 2010 7:01 AM

The article did not go far enough.

Your article did not go far enough.Israel treats gays beautifully.
Israel treats women beautifully. Israel is not apartheid and the majority are descended from Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and Africa see Jimena.org and see the video "The Forgotten Refugees".
In the meantime the Left is on the side of the Arabs which hang gays, and stone women to death.
I disagree that the Left is against discrimination. On the contrary, they are friends with people who practice discrimination and are demonizing Israel which has a wonderful record. Therefore considering that values are expressed in behavior, not talk, one could objectively say that the Left is not against discrimination. They are divisive. They are not against totalitarianism either, another feature of Arab society which is not a part of Israel. Therefore, look at what the Left really objects to, America and Israel, two democracies. In other words, the Left in action does not live up to its beautiful words. They are not even into diversity or they would support Israel a tiny Jewish state in a sea of Muslim states.They are so not into diversity that they don't even recognize gender. They want the whole world to be the result of a cookie cutter.
And Israel is compassionate and had all sorts of operations to bring to Israel from areas of discrimination and danger Jews in danger, in Africa, and Yemen, and Iran and Iraq etc Read about Operation Magic Carpet, Operation Wings of Eagles, Operation Moses, Operation Joshua, Operation Solomon, Operation Mural (Morocco), and Operation Ezekial (Iraq).
And the Left sees itself as compassionate which they are not, judging by their friends. They lack compassion.They don't care
about abandoning Afghanistanis and Iraqis to the Taliban where torture and bloodbaths will follow, as well as the non- education of girls.. They just like being the critics of the good guys, us. They like to have the last word, and the illusion that they know better.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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